Severe weather is moving through parts of the United States on Friday, with powerful winds and heavy snow raising the risk of widespread power outages across several states.
Officials in parts of Oregon and California are urging residents to charge electronic devices and replenish emergency supplies. Pacific Power is advising customers to prepare for as long as 72 hours without essential services.
The National Weather Service (NWS) said wind gusts could reach 70mph in northern California’s Shasta Valley and 65mph along the southern Oregon coast. The conditions could bring down trees and power lines.
Broad outages are possible in communities covered by high wind warnings.
‘Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles,’ the NWS said in a High Wind Warning.
At the same time, heavy and saturated snow has already caused outages in parts of upstate New York, including Otsego, Chenango and Delaware counties.
Forecasters said additional snow weighing down trees could lead to more outages on Friday morning.
More than 20,000 New York customers were without electricity, according to a live power outage map, with the largest concentration of outages reported in Otsego and Chenango counties.
Severe storms are crossing parts of the US on Friday, bringing destructive winds and heavy snow that could cause widespread power outages in several states (stock)
A strong Pacific low-pressure system is driving cold air into Oregon and California, producing damaging winds, rain and dangerous surf while increasing the threat of fallen trees and power disruptions.
The storm’s strongest coastal winds are expected Friday morning. A high wind warning for Oregon’s south-central coast and the Curry County coast remains in place until 10am PST.
PowerOutage.com reported that nearly 3,000 customers were without electricity in Oregon, with most outages in the southwestern part of the state.
In northern California, high wind warnings for the Shasta Valley and coastal Del Norte County remain active until 1pm PST Friday.
PowerOutage.com reported that more than 16,000 customers in the area were without power.
Pacific Power said response crews were prepared to deal with storm-related damage and encouraged customers to enroll in outage alerts for the latest updates.
People should never approach fallen power lines because they may still be live even if they are not sparking. Anyone who sees one should keep away and call 911.
Electricity may not be restored immediately after the weather warnings end, as crews must inspect damage before beginning repairs.
Heavy, wet snow has already caused power outages in parts of upstate New York, including Otsego, Chenango and Delaware counties
‘State and local emergency management organizations also recommend having an emergency plan and to be prepared for up to 72 hours without essential services,’ Pacific Power said in a statement.
Residents were again warned to avoid all downed power lines because they could remain energized and pose a serious danger.
Snow accumulations reached 10 inches in parts of central New York by Thursday evening, and forecasters said snowfall would continue into Friday.
‘The snow will be tapering off from north to south during the morning hours,’ the NWS said in a separate advisory covering Schoharie and parts of Greene and Ulster counties.
‘The heavy, wet nature of the snow can result in isolated power outages, mainly across Schoharie County.’
Elevated sections of Otsego County above 1,500 feet have already recorded between six and 12 inches of snow.
A winter storm warning remains in effect for the area until 1pm EST Friday.
